Contemplative Bible Reading

Daniel 3:15 (New Living Translation)

I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?

King Nebuchadnezzar is speaking here to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Worship the King or go into the furnace where death awaits.

Notice the last question posed by the King. The King puts himself above gods. There is no god that can rescue anyone from the power of this King.

At this time, King Nebuchadnezzar was powerful. Probably the most powerful person on earth. He reigned over the pinnacle of human achievement. This is not hyperbole. It is true. Check the history books.

And this King knew all about religion. He knew all about all the gods that people worship through the known world. He knew this because he had conquered all the people of the known world and brought all the gods back to his home.

This King collected gods. He put them in their proper place. He had not, however, met the God creator, the God of the people of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. He soon would and soon would be humbled.

He learned the difference between gods and Jehovah God the Creator. Let us all remember the lesson.